Monaco Grand Prix: Briatore lunches with Bernie inside paddock

What to make of the fact that Flavio Briatore was in the Monaco paddock today having lunch with Bernie Ecclestone? For anyone who can't remember, the Italian was originally given a lifetime ban from the sport for his role in the Renault race-fixing affair at Singapore in 2008.

That was overturned by a French court in January, a decision the FIA vowed to appeal, only for a dubious amnesty to be agreed between both parties that would see Briatore not take any 'active role' in F1 until 2013 (already the ambiguity of that particular definition is becoming apparent).

I have written before about what a sour taste that behind-closed-doors deal left in the mouth but that is not my point this time.

My point this time is that both the FIA and Renault's independent investigators found Briatore guilty of ordering Nelson Piquet Jnr to crash his car in Singapore. Even when his ban was overturned in court, they insisted that was due to a procedural technicality and made it clear they still considered him guilty.

The wording of the 'deal' might have allowed him some wriggle room – they said he was only responsible "in his capacity as head of the Renault F1 team" – and it should of course be noted that Briatore has always maintained he is innocent. But to all intents and purposes the FIA still consider him guilty.

Why then allow a man they consider guilty of one of the worst sporting crimes of all time back into the paddock? And why is Bernie consorting with him publicly? Yes, they are old mates but couldn't they meet in private, away from F1? This was clearly a statement from both men.

You can be sure it would not have been allowed had Max Mosley, the man who tried to ban Briatore for life before making way for Jean Todt, still been in charge. But he isn't, and the new FIA president seems happy to let it slide.

Asked to comment, Todt said that Briatore is "free" to mingle inside the paddock since he does not have an "active role" in any motor racing activities. Really? Don't try telling me they were swapping holiday stories.

Even if they weren't talking shop, what kind of message does their meeting send out? Surely it damages the credibility of the sport. It certainly doesn't seem very much like strong leadership to me, as well as being morally grey.

As I have said before, either Flavio is guilty, in which case he should never be allowed back. Or he is innocent, in which case he shouldn't have to wait until 2013. This current state limbo is very strange and will lead to all sorts of speculation as to what they could have been discussing.